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New Greek refugee camps better than ‘shame of Idomeni,’ says Brussels

Amid concerns about the conditions faced by migrants at refugee camps in northern Greece, the European Commission had said that they are a significant improvement on the “shame” of the unofficial camp at Idomeni.

The UNHCR last week labelled as “substandard” conditions at some of the camps hastily set up by Greek authorities near Thessaloniki so refugees could be evacuated from Idomeni.

Questioned about reports of poor condition, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said on Monday that authorities are working on improving things.

“These are facilities that are financed by the EU and are facilities where both authorities and the NGOs are working to make life easier for the refugees,” he said during a news briefing.

“We know well that any reception facility is better than the shame of Idomeni,” he added.